The Pros and Cons of Outsource Printing Ultimate Guide To outsource your print, or not outsource your print — how do you decide? Here’s a rundown of the pros and cons of outsourcing print. Published on 4 November, 2022 | Last modified on 19 May, 2025 As businesses scale, so does the need to produce high-quality print materials—quickly, consistently, and affordably. For many, the question arises: should you manage printing in-house or outsource it? In this post, we explore the ins and outs of outsource printing, its benefits, drawbacks, and when it makes the most sense. Table of ContentsWhat Is Outsource Printing?Benefits of Outsourcing Printing ServicesChallenges of Using an Outsourced Printing CompanyWhen to Use Outsourcing Print and Mail ServicesIn-House vs. Outsourced Printing Services: A ComparisonIndustries That Benefit from Printing OutsourcingFAQ: Outsourced Printing ServicesBonus: What You No Longer Need to ManageFinal Thoughts What Is Outsource Printing? Outsource printing refers to hiring an external vendor to handle your business’s printing needs—whether it’s marketing collateral, sales kits, or internal documents. Companies use outsourced printing services to streamline operations, save on overhead costs, and scale without the burden of managing equipment or inventory. Benefits of Outsourcing Printing Services 1. Lower Costs & No Equipment Overhead Outsourcing print eliminates the need to purchase or maintain expensive printers, binders, or finishing equipment. Print outsourcing companies already have the infrastructure in place, allowing you to pay only for what you use. 2. Time-Saving Fulfillment Outsourced printing services take care of printing, collating, packaging, and even mailing—freeing up your internal team to focus on strategic tasks instead of logistics. 3. Scalability & Flexibility Whether you need 100 booklets or 10,000 flyers, outsourcing print services makes it easy to scale up or down as demand changes. 4. Consistent Brand Quality Top outsourcing print services ensure consistency in colors, layout, paper quality, and binding—critical for brand presentation. 5. Inventory & Mailing Support Need to send custom kits or manage printed materials across multiple regions? Some print outsourcing companies offer kitting and mailing services too. Challenges of Using an Outsourced Printing Company 1. Less Immediate Control Relying on an outsourced printing company means you won’t be hands-on in the day-to-day production. Communication and trust are key. 2. Learning Curve Onboarding with a new vendor for outsourced printing services may require training and initial setup time. 3. Vendor Selection Process Choosing the right printing outsourcing company is critical. It must align with your turnaround expectations, quality standards, and budget. When to Use Outsourcing Print and Mail Services You frequently print high-volume materials You need to ship printed items nationwide or globally You want to cut costs on equipment and maintenance You require brand consistency across multiple locations You need on-demand print production integrated into your workflows In-House vs. Outsourced Printing Services: A Comparison FeatureIn-House PrintingOutsourced Printing ServicesEquipment CostsHigh upfront & maintenanceNone – vendor absorbs costLaborInternal teamVendor handles itScalabilityLimitedHigh – easy to scaleConsistency & QualityMay vary by locationUniform across all materialsTurnaround SpeedDependent on teamStreamlined & fastMailing & FulfillmentManual effortOften included Industries That Benefit from Printing Outsourcing Healthcare: Patient communications, appointment reminders Finance: Statements, regulatory disclosures Education: Course materials, graduation packages Retail: Promotional flyers, coupons Event Planning: Signage, schedules, and lanyards These sectors often rely on outsourcing print services to maintain consistency, meet tight deadlines, and stay compliant with data handling protocols. FAQ: Outsourced Printing Services What are the benefits of outsourcing printing services? Outsourcing printing services helps businesses save time, reduce overhead, and improve consistency. It also allows teams to focus on high-value work instead of managing print logistics. Is it cost-effective to outsource printing? Yes. When you outsource printing, you avoid the hidden costs of equipment, inventory storage, and labor. Many print outsourcing companies offer lower total costs through automation and scale. What should I look for in a print outsourcing partner? Look for outsourced printing services that offer real-time tracking, digital proofs, and quality assurance. A good partner will also support outsourcing print and mail in a way that aligns with your brand and compliance needs. Can I customize my materials when using print outsource providers? Absolutely. The best print outsourcing vendors offer customizable options for content, branding, and fulfillment — all within easy-to-use digital platforms. How do I transition to outsourcing print services? Choose a provider with strong onboarding support, clear communication, and a user-friendly platform. A good outsourcing print services partner will walk you through setup and help ensure a smooth handoff. Bonus: What You No Longer Need to Manage When you outsource printing services effectively, you can eliminate: Overstocked shelves of binders and tabs Emergency reprints and last-minute shipping runs Confusion over file versions and brand consistency A patchwork of vendors for documents, swag, and delivery Final Thoughts Outsourcing printing isn’t just about saving money—it’s about working smarter. If you need consistent quality, scalable volume, and faster fulfillment, partnering with a print outsourcing company may be your next strategic move. twitter Tweet facebook Share pinterest Pin Next Post Previous Post Mimeo Marketing Team Mimeo is a global online print provider with a mission to give customers back their time. By combining front and back-end technology with a lean production model, Mimeo is the only company in the industry to guarantee your late-night print order will be produced, shipped, and delivered by 8 am the next morning. For more information, visit mimeo.com and see how Mimeo’s solutions can help you save time today.
